AT this time next month, the collegiate basketball season shall have already begun.
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) opens September 12 while the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines (NCAA) follows suit on September 13 both at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Finals predictions for the two leagues have been running wild for over a month now, taking note of how the different teams performed in the pre-season, here or in other parts of the globe.
The NCAA buzz has been strongest for the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers who showed their explosive might during the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup. They did not just win the championship, they swept and overpowered the San Beda Red Lions, flexing a retooled roster with a one-two punch in dynamic scorer Lawrence Mangubat and versatile forward Chris Hubilla.
In Season 102, JRU boasts a more experienced sophomore core in Sean Salvador, Allan Laurenaria and Ivan Panapanaan, trusty role players in Jahmir Eligado and Stephen Garupil. And hey, they got even more steady with the addition of championship-steeped EJ Gollena and Rhyle Melencio who both transferred from La Salle.
Underneath all that, the mentorship of former JRU MVP Nani Epondulan has brought a whole new culture and fighting style for the Heavy Bombers. Nobody but nobody can sleep on Jose Rizal U this season. Ibang JRU talaga ito.
Of course, the mighty Lions will still be the team to beat. And the charging Saint Benilde Blazers with veterans Allen Liwag and Justine Sanchez will definitely be in the mix.
Colegio San Juan de Letran, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and Arellano University know their way around the challenges, so expect them to be jockeying for spots come the final countdown. It’s going to be an interesting Season 102.
As for the UAAP, many still expect a University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons-De La Salle Green Archers ‘quadrilogy’ for Season 89. But the road to this final match-up is not as smooth and clear as before.
Changes in the line-ups of both squads have made them almost unrecognizable from seasons past. According to talk on Reddit, UP still holds most of the marbles. They have ‘size, depth and a guard-driven system built on size.’
The frontcourt is really deep: Gani Stevens, Sean Alter, Migs Palanca, Francis Nnoruka, 7-footer Dieonte Miles plus Veejay Pre are all big and ready to be rotated.
UP’s wings-Jacob Bayla, Miguel Yñiguez, James Payosing-are strong and long and can rotate as well. The guards, led by Noy Remogat and Arvie Poyos, run the offense and drop stealthy points in the paint.
But how will this post-Maroon 5 UP team actually swim in UAAP waters? Their checkered performance in pre-season leagues, local and international, show diminished dominance. UP had a hard time defending three-point shooting teams in their Canadian, AUBL and Korean sorties.
As for La Salle, it will always draw on its defending champion pedigree. Two excellent guards-Jacob Cortez and Joaquin Tovera-now run their engine, while old reliables Mason Amos, Earl Abadam and JCee Macalalag steady the ship. Shiny new additions like Jason Cibull, TJ Adams and Joaquin Ludovice will put Coach Topex Robinson’s game out there. This team still knows how to win.
Mike Philips’w graduation has left a big hole in the Archers’ front court, however. That, Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate must adequately fill. Gollena’s departure also removed the instinctive glue guy and facilitator in the team. That’s a significant loss that can’t be measured by stats.
And here’s the thing. Hungry Tigers are on the prowl, ready to crash the party. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers are at their scariest this season, with a dominant center in Collins Akowe and an intact core hell-bent on finishing what they didn’t accomplish last year.
UST is legit enough to stop the quadrilogy from even taking shape.
As for the Adamson Soaring Falcons, they showed the stern stuff that they’re made of when they defeated La Salle in the Roxas City Invitational Tournament 2026 recently.
The NU Bulldogs? They seem locked in for a Final Four slot. The Ateneo Blue Eagles, with zero external expectations, will fly under the radar and catch prey sans pressure.
Far Eastern U Coach Sean Chambers said: ‘Aside from UP and La Salle, FEU’s gonna be a problem.’ We believe him. With MVP Janrey Pasaol, Jorick Bautista, Mo Konateh and Kirby Mongcopa leading the charge along with new recruits, the Tams will be brave and true this year.
By the way, the UE Warriors won’t be pushovers either in Season 89. They’ll be the wild card, the spirited, unpredictable guest at the party.
Only 17 days left before the adrenaline flows again. Bring out those drums!